Animation device

ABSTRACT

AN ANIMATION DEVICE, PARTICULARLY USEFUL AS AN ADVERTISINS SPECIALTY, AND FORMED FROM A NUMBER OF LAMINATE OF PAPERBOARD OR THE LIKE, AT LEAST ONE OF SUCH LAMINAE HAVING A PORTION WHICH IS MOVABLE IN THE PLANE THEREOF. THE MOVABLE LAMINA MAY BE PROVIDED WITH INTELLIGENCE, AND IN SOME CASES MAY COOPERATE WITH A WINDOW FOR OBSERVING THE DISPLACEMENT OF SUCH INTELLIGENCE PORTION.

yANIMATION DEVICE.

Filed March- 28, 1969 's sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 2, '1971 Filed March 28,1969 c. R.y HELMs ANIMATION DEVICE 3 SheetsfSheet 2 Feb.2,1971 'R.'HELMSv3,559,321

ANIMATION DEVICE Filed lll-arch 28,',1969 l I' 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 UnitedStates Patent Office 3,559,321 Patented Feb. 2 1971 3,559,321 ANIMATIONDEVICE Charles Robert Helms, Barto, Pa., assignor to ContainerCorporation of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware FiledMar. 28, 1969, Ser. No. 811,465 Int. Cl. G09f 1 9/ 02 U.S. Cl. 40-106.41f 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An animation device, particularlyuseful as an advertising specialty, and formed from a number of laminaeof paperboard or the like, at least one of such laminae having a portionwhich is movable in the plane thereof. The movable lamina may beprovided with intelligence, and in some cases may cooperate With awindow for observing the displacement of such intelligence portion.

The present invention relates to an animation device particularlyadapted for use as an advertising specialty, and which may be formedfrom paperboard, and more particularly to such items as direct mailingcards and novelties constructed of assembled or laminated paperboardpanels in which one or more sections or parts thereof may be moved by asecond movable section or part which is readily accessible for actuationby the user.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved andeconomical form of animation device consisting of a plurality ofinterrelated sections or portions at least one of which is integrallyhinged to a fixed or secured portion in such a manner that the confinedand movable portion is well adapted for repeated actuation.

Another object is to provide a device of the type above referred towhich can be initially prepared with wellknown printing, creasing andcutting equipment and assembled on high-speed folding and gluingmachines.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of an animation device according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a paperboard blank from which the animationdevice shown in FIG. 1 may be constructed;

FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG. l, but to an enlarged scale, certainparts being broken away to show the relationship of fixed, swingable andslidable portions of the inner panel or lamina of the assembly;

FIG. 4 shows three fragmentary views, on a still further enlarged scale,of deformations taken by hinge portions of the device seen in FIGS. 1 to3 inclusive;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cut and scored paperboard blank forconstructing the animation device seen in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but on an enlarged scale, certainparts being broken away;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing a closure panel thereofmoved to open position;

FIG. 9 is a plan View of still another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure seen in FIG. 9; andy FIG. l1 is a plan view of a still further embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings there is shown a firstembodiment of an animation device according to the present invention. Itis referred to by the reference numeral 15 and is formed from a cut andscored blank 15A which may be made from paperboard or the like. Theblank consists of an inner lamina 16 joined by a score line 17 to anouter lamina 18. A second outer lamina 19 is connected by a score line21 to the first outer lamina 18. The inner lamina 16 is adapted to befolded about the score line 17 into position against the first outerlamina 1.8, and the second outer lamina 19 is then folded about thescore line 21 against the inner lamina 16.

The inner lamina 16 consists of a fixed or stationary portion 22 and hasan opening 23 therein, and a movable portion 24 formed from lamina 16 isadapted to move within the opening or area 23 within the plane thereofand between the two outer laminae 19 and 18. It may be noted that themovable portion 24 is formed integrally with the fixed portion 22 for apurpose as will appear.

The inner lamina 16 is glued to the first outer lamina 18 by means ofglue patches 27 which lie between the fixed portion 22 of the lamina 16and the first outer lamina 18. In similar fashion the inner lamina 16 isglued to the second outer lamina 19 by means of glue patches 26.

The movable portion 24 includes an operator 28 movable within a slot 31in the inner lamina 16, slot 31 being defined also by slots of smallerwidth 29 in the outer laminae 18 and 19.

The inner lamina 16 has a diagonally extending slot 32 therein forming apart of the area 23. Slot 32 is defined by parallel cut lines 33 and 34,the latter being coextensive with an arc 36 extending toward slot 31. Apointer element 37 is a part of movable portion 24 and extends in theslot 32. The end of pointer 37 appears in a Window 38 formed in thesecond outer lamina 19. The pointer element 37 extends from anessentially triangular shaped hingeable element 39 forming part ofmovable portion 24, and is connected by a hinge 41 to the fixed portion22. Hinge element 41 is defined by a hook cut 40 coextensive with a slot40A between the triangular shaped hingeable element 39 and the fixedportion 22, hinge 41 being also defined by a curved line 40B connectingthe parallel cut line 33 with the side of the triangular shaped member39, as seen more clearly in FIG. 3.

Movable pointer element 37 is also hingedly connected by means of ahinge 42 to a segment 43 defined by an arc 44 and a cut line 45. Thesegment 43 is further connected by a hinge 46 to the operator 28.Movement of the operator 28 to the right as seen in FIG. 3 causes thesegment 43 to rock with respect to the operator 28 in acounter-clockwise direction. This operation of the hinge 46 causes thehinge 42 between the segment 43 and the pointer element 237 to rock in aclockwise direction causing the pointer element 37 and the triangularshaped hingeable member 39 to rock about their hinge 41. At such timemovement of the pointer element is apparent in the window 38.

Movement of the operator 28 to the left as seen in FIG. 3 causes theelements to take an opposite movement from that just described causingthe pointer element 37 to move in a clockwise direction and to the rightin the window 38 seen in FIG. 3.

The flexing movement of the hinges described is best i1- lustrated withreference to FIG. 4 which shows at A the non-flexed position of hinge46. When the operator 28 is moved to the right as seen in FIG. 3, thearcuate member 3 43 moves in a counter-clockwise direction with respectto operator 28 causing the hinge 46 to iiex in the manner shown. In thesame respect the movement of the operator 28 to the left as seen in FIG.3 causes the segment 43 to be moved in a clockwise direction withrespect to the operator 28 causing the hinge 46 to flex in the mannershown.

Since the hinge 46 and the segment 43 are constrained between the innerand outer laminae 118 and 19, the movement of the hinge is achieved by aslight delamination of the stock of hinges 46 and others like the same.

Referring now to FIGS. to 8, there is shown another embodiment of theinvention referred to generally by the reference numeral '55 and formedfrom a cut and scored blank 55A which also may be made of paperboard.The latter consists of an inner lamina 56 connected by a cut and nickedlike 57 to an outer lamina S9. A score line 61 connects outer lamina S9to a second outer lamina 62 which is provided with a glue flap 63foldable with respect to lamina 62 along a score line 64. Lamina `S6 isheld between the two outer laminae 59 and 62, which are glued togetherin a manner as will be described to hold inner lamina 56 in place, andto enable it to be rotated to give an animation effect as will bedescribed.

Inner lamina 56 is circular in form and consists of a circular rim 66defined by an outer cut line 66A and an inner cut line 66B.

The two outer laminae S9 and 62 are each provided with diametricallyopposed rectangular cut outs 67 which are in register when the twolaminae 59 and 62 are folded with respect to each other along the scoreline 61. The diameter of the inner lamina 56 is such that the circularrim 66 thereof is exposed in the cut outs 67 as seen more particularlyin FIGS. 7 and 8.

The circular rim 66 has equiangularly spaced spokes 69 extendinginwardly therefrom, each of such spokes being defined by cut lines 71and 72 spaced from each other, and a cut line 73 extending substantiallyperpendicularly to the cut line 72 in a direction toward the cut line7\1, so that the two lines 71 and 73 meet at a vertex 7-4 which iscommon with a center C of circular rim 66 when the parts are in theposition seen in FIGS. 5 and 7.

Outer lamina 62 has a central opening 76 therein through which the innerends of the spokes appear irrespective of whether they are in theposition seen in FIG. 8 or in the position seen in FIG. 7. Spokes 69 canbe considered somewhat analogous to the iris of a camera shutter andhave movement towards and away from the common center, taking positionas seen in FIG. 7 and as seen in FIG. 8.

The movement of the spokes 69 is achieved by providing the inner lamina66 with a plurality of stationary annular segments 77 defined by achordal line 78 and a pair of radial cut lines 79 and 80 and the curvedline 66B marking the inner edge of the rim 66. The stationary annularsegment 77 is joined to the outer laminae 59 and 62 by means of gluepatches GP seen also in FIG. 6.

Structure is provided for enabling the spokes 69 to have the movementpreviously referred to upon movement of the rim 66 in circulardirections as will be described. To this end each of the spokes 69 isconnected to rim 66 by a triangular shaped movable connector element 82defined by cut lines 83 and 84 and a cut line 86, there being a hinge 87between the cut lines 83 and 84. The hinge 87 is defined also by a hookcut 87C continuous with the cut line 83 and extending into the rim 66.

The triangular shaped movable connector element 82 is connected to thespokes 69 by means of a hinge 88, there being a hook cut 88C in the line86.

An animation effect is accomplished by moving the rim 66 in acounter-clockwise direction causing the spoke elements y69 to have acounter-clockwise movement with respect to the common center C. Thecounter-clockwise movement of the rim 66 causes the triangular shapedconnector element 82 to move in a clockwise direction CFI as shown bythe arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8. This movement of the rim 66 causes thespoke elements 69 to have a clockwise movement relative to thetriangular shaped connector element 8-2 but at the same time to have anabsolute counter-clockwise movement as seen in FIG. 8. The movement ofrim 66 in the counter-clockwise direction causes an animation effectsimilar to the opening of the iris of the shutter of a camera.Contrariwise, when the rim 66 is moved in a clockwise direction thespokes 69 close about the center C to adopt a position as seen in FIG.5.

As with the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 suchmovement is achieved by the delamination of the hinge elements. Theseare constrained between the inner and outer laminae and the movement ofthe hinge elements causes the stock thereof to delaminate slightly sothat there is no movement essentially out of the plane defined betweenthe inner and outer laminae 59 and 61.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 there is shown a further embodiment ofthe invention which finds application for the storing of coins, forexample, and for indicating the amount of such coins as may be stored.This embodiment of the invention is referred to by the reference numeraland consists of an inner lamina 96 anked by outer laminae 97 and 99,these latter being connected along a score line 98. A score line 101connects outer lamina 97 to outer lamina 99, and a score line 98connects outer lamina 97 to the inner lamina 96.

As with the previous embodiments, the inner lamina 96 has an opening 102therein defined by a radially extending cut line 103 coextensive with acircular arc 104 of larger diameter having a center C2. A circular arc106 of smaller diameter defines with arc '104 an annular slot 107, andopening 102 together with the annular slot 1107 defines a generallywedge shaped sector. The area t102 is also defined by a small diametercircular arc 109 spaced from a smaller diameter circular arc 111 todefine an annular slot 113 having the same center C2 as the annular slot107 previously described.

A movable portion l114 is adapted to have swinging movement within theplane of the opening -102 and the movable portion 114 is defined by thegenerally wedge shaped portion 115 having an annular arm 117 extendingtherefrom, the latter being movable within the slot 107 previouslydescribed, and a second annular arm 118 movable within slot 113 definedby the two arcs 109 and 111.

A slot 119 in the outer lamina 99 is coextensive with the annular sloti107, and is of a Width sufficient to receive a small coin such as aquarter Q seen in FIG. 9, the latter being adapted to fit within arecess 121 in the end of the annular arm 117. As seen in FIG. 9, a pairof such coins are shown in position, and structure is provided to givean indication of the total value of coins of the same kind stored Withinthe animation device 95. Accordingly, the outer lamina 99 has a window122 therein lying over the second annular arm 118, and the latter may beprovided with the indicia seen in FIG. 9 corresponding to the totalnumber of coins being stored within the device 95.

Structure is provided for providing for the movement of the movableportion 114, and the latter is connected by a hinge 123 spaced a smalldistance from the center C2 and connected to a lfixed or stationaryportion 125 of lamina 96. Hinge 123 is similar to those previouslydescribed, and the same is constrained by the two outer laminae so thatmovement of the portion |114 takes place with concomitant delaminationof the hinge 123 which enables such movement to be accomplished Withoutany distortion of the hinge element out of the plane of the movableportion 114.

Referring now to FIG. 1l there is shown a still further embodimentreferred to by the reference numeral 135. It may lbe formed frompaperboard or the like, and is shown in the form of a toy pistol adaptedto propel a rubber band RB stretched thereover and to be triggered so asto propel the same.

The structure according to this embodiment of the invention includes apair of similar outer laminae 13-6 and 137 connected to each other alonga fold line 138. Each of the lamina 136 or 137 consists of a simulatedbarrel portion 139 and a simulated hand-grip portion 141 and a triggerguard 142. The latter has an opening 143 therein into which the lingerof the user may extend.

A center lamina 140 is connected to one of the lamina '.136 or 137 alonga score line 146. The center lamina 140 when folded about the score lineinto position between the outer laminae 136 and 137 has a cut edgethereof in position just -beneath the score line 138 joining the twoouter laminae 136 and 137.

The two outer laminae 136 and i137 are joined by means of glue patchesGP, there being an -unglued portion 145 therebetwen.

The center lamina 140 includes a movable portion 148 adapted to movewith respect to a fixed portion 144 by means of a hinge -149 defined bya hooked cut line 151 and an arcuate notch 150 in the cut edge 147 ofthe movable portion 144. The hook cut 151 is coterminous with a cut line152 which closes about itself to dene a iinger opening 158 lying betweenthe fixed portion 144 and the movable portion 148. Movable portion 148has a trigger '154 defined by a cut line 156 separating the same from anextension 157 from the fixed portion 144. The shape of the extension 157conforms to the periphery of the trigger guard |142.

When the center lamina 140 is folded between the two outer laminae 136and 137 a hammer extension 159 of the movable portion 148 extends in themanner shown in FIG. 11 to simulate the movement of a hammer and atrigger. Hammer 159 is formed with a release surface I161, and actuationof the trigger 154 causes the surface 161 to rock in the manner shown tolift the rubber band RB which is constrained between a V-groove 162 atthe front end of the two outer laminae 136 and 137 and a rear abutment163 formed thereon. Upon release of rubber band the same is propelled ina manner known.

As with the previous embodiments described, the hinge 149 is operable insuch a fashion that the actuation of the trigger 154 causes the hinge149 to be delaminated,

it being constrained between the two outer laminae 136 and 137.

lI claim:

1. An animation device constructed from paperboard or the likecomprising:

(a) a pair of outer laminae;

(b) an inner lamina interposed between the outer laminae and having astationary portion secured thereto;

(i) said stationary portion of the inner lamina having an openingtherein;

(ii) the inner lamina also having a movable portion movable in the planeof said opening and defined by cut lines spaced from the sides of saidopening;

(iii) integral hinge means connecting the movable portion with saidstationary portion of said inner lamina;

(iv) one of the outer laminae being formed with a viewing apertureadjacent the movable portion spaced at a distance from said hinge means,for providing viewing of the movement of the movable portion;

(v) said outer laminae affording access to said movable portion foraccommodating movement thereof.

2. The invention as `defined in claim -1 wherein the integral hingemeans comprises an integral narrow neck portion extending from themovable portion to said stationary portion.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the inner lamina isformed of a laminated paperboard whereby the neck portion is free todelaminate and spread slightly as the movable element moves in saidcutaway portion.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said movable portion hasan arm extending therefrom in the plane thereof, said arm extendingarcuately with respect to the axis of the said integral hinge, wherebysaid arm may be moved in an arcuate path in the plane of the cutawayportion to propel the movable element in its plane about said integralhinge.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said outer laminaeis formed with a receiving opening substantially aligned with the freeend of said arm, through which opening a propelling means may beinserted to engage the free end of said arm and move the same.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said movable element isprovided with an extension movable in an arcuate path, said extensionhaving indicia thereon and extending concentrically with said firstnamed arm, and wherein one of the outer laminae is formed with a windowopening of restricted size through which spaced indicia applied alongsaid extension may be seen.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner lamina is inthe shape of a circle having a rim with movable and stationary elementsextending therefrom, the movable elements thereof extending radially andmeeting at a center common to said circle, the rotation of said centerlamina causing said movable elements to move away from said center.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein one of said laminae hasan opening therein for viewing the movement of said radial elements.

9. A device for imparting mechanical motion comprising:

(a) connected front and rear laminae panels,

(i) the front panel having a central opening formed therein;

(b) an intermediate panel having slits and cuts therein to provide:

(i) a plurality of angularly spaced securing portions a'dapted to besecured flatwise to at least one of the Said front and rear panels;

(ii) a ring-like member surrounding the securing portions and separatedtherefrom by arcuate cuts so that the ringlike member is free to moverotatably about the edges of the securing portions to a limited extentin either arcuate direction;

(iii) cut away areas in said intermediate lamina flanking the respectivesecuring portions, each of said areas being defined in part by anessentially radial leg extending from said ring-like member toward thecenter thereof;

(iv) each of said radially extending legs terminating in sides includingan angle, said sides having a vertex common to the vertexes of the otherof said radially extending legs to dene when juxtaposed a closurecentrally to obscure viewing of the intermediate panel past the centralopening in the front panel;

(v) one side of each of said radially extending legs being joined by anarrow neck section to its securing portion;

(vi) such neck section serving as a hinge and being located adjacentthat portion of the radially extending leg continuous to said securingportion;

(vii) the connection of each of said radially extending leg to saidring-like member being characterized by a cut from that side of theradially extending leg remote from said narrow neck section, saidradially extending legs in the front panel;

(viii) whereby upon arcuate movement of said 850,150 4/1907 Glazier46-36 ring-like member with respect to its center the 862,671 8/ 1907Smith 46-37X inner ends of said radially extending legs will 2,895,2447/ 1959 Youngren 46-36X be moved away from said center to create a3,318,040 5/ 1967 Kinberg 46-37 vaarrrilcieln register wlth the openlng1n sald front 5 JEROME SCHNALL Primary Examiner References Cited R.CARTER, Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS U.s. C1. X.R. 778,30712/1904 Coulraus 46-36X 46T

